Anything Goes!

I am pleased to be joining New Orleans Living as a contributing writer. When I began working in interior design, I discovered that during a weak economy there were many ways people could “do it themselves.” My goal is to show how to design a beautiful home on a budget, while also bringing you the hottest new trends in interior design.

The new year is here, and there are several trends that you will start to see in interior design. 2010 is all about the green movement. People are more socially responsible and ecoaware, and consumers are demanding that the process and the final product truly be green and meet fair trade standards. Today, consumers are looking for green fabrics and recycled materials. When these are combined with modern design, you can make a personal statement. Eco-silk fabrics are also going to be seen on everything from chairs to pillows. You will see more eco-friendly products such as bamboo flooring and solvent-free paints and varnishes.

The Hollywood Regency style is also hot this season. This eclectic styling is “uniquely me” chic. The look can be obtained by selecting unusual furniture and up-cycling it by adding the latest in paint colors or covering it in fabrics unique to the Hollywood Regency period. This is a great style for the budgetminded decorator. You can do simple things like change the flame-tip bulbs in your chandelier to opaque globe bulbs and place fringe on your pillows. Mirrors can be painted with high-gloss lacquer to make them stand out, and knobs on furniture can be changed from metal to glass. Velvet drapes and silk lampshades add the final touch.

Having unique one-of-a-kind pieces of art in your home will also be a big trend for 2010. People are starting to reject massproduced objects and many are returning to do-it-yourself projects to make their homes a true reflection of their own personality. Wall stenciling and mixed-media art will be popping up everywhere this coming year. People will return to the stores selling older furniture to find one-of-a-kind items. Shoppers will be looking for original art and visiting local art fairs to locate special pieces. This year will be about individual style. Almost anything goes! You want to make sure your space is a reflection of your personal style.

or contemporary sofas and chairs. Adding glass tile back splashes or changing wall paint colors is an easy way to update your kitchen. Mosaics and patchworks on everything from soft textiles to furniture will be part of the ambitious mix of styles that we will begin to see.

There is also a move toward designing without borders. You can bring in the unique design styles of other cultures. The Internet allows people to purchase items from around the globe, and the more global we are, the more we merge multicultural designs. Inspiration will come from all over the world, but especially China, Russia, Morocco and several Latin American countries and India.

Wherever your design tastes take you, always remember that you can do it yourself. You can create a home that reflects your personality and is welcoming to your visitors. Recently I opened my own store on Magazine Street, and I welcome you to stop by and visit with us to learn how you can make your home the place of your dreams.

Chet Pourciau is a certified member of the ASID and owns and operates Chet Pourciau Design at 3650 Magazine St.